Chapter One Hundred and Eighty: The Performance Continues

there's nothing wrong, let's go back home."Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao uttered an "Ah" and saw Gu Jingxi already turning towards the staircase. She hesitated for a moment before taking steps to fo...Meng Jinyao made no secret of it, recounting the incident of meeting a middle-aged woman at Lingyun Temple yesterday afternoon.

In the end, she chuckled softly: "What a coincidence! I suddenly felt like going to the Hall of Rebirth at Lingyun Temple to light incense for my mother and met her former maid there. That old lady is seriously ill and doesn't have much time left. If I hadn't gone to Lingyun Temple yesterday, I would probably never have known that secret."

Gu Jingxi's face darkened. He was deeply ashamed of his father-in-law's actions. Even though he was married because of his parents' arrangement, he had no romantic feelings for his mother-in-law. It was one thing to hide the truth out of shame, but it was another to allow his mother and stepmother to mistreat his innocent daughter.

He looked at the little girl, her eyes filled with anger and grief. He patted her hand soothingly and said meaningfully: "Madam, your mother-in-law in heaven will not let them off."

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao's expression faltered. She met his meaningful gaze and understood his meaning, a dangerous smile playing on her lips: "Yes, Mother's spirit in heaven will not rest until they are punished."

Gu Jingxi looked at her slightly raised lips, only feeling that the little girl at this moment was like a cat whose fur had been ruffled, poised to strike back, rarely fierce.

Meng Jin Yao glanced at the man beside her, retracting the sinister smile from the corner of her mouth and softly said: "Husband, you didn't rest well last night, why don't you rest for a while first I'll call you for lunch later."

Gu Jingxi replied, "No need to rush. Let's have lunch first and then take a nap. I'm going to Dali Temple this afternoon as well."

He finished speaking and then instructed the maidservant to prepare a bath. He wanted to bathe and change his clothes. Last night at the temple, conditions were limited, so he had only washed briefly and hadn't bathed properly. He felt uncomfortable all over.

Meng Jin Yao thought about herself having a high fever last night, definitely sweating all over. And when she returned in the carriage this morning, Gu Jing Xi held her to help her sleep better and instinctively lowered his head to sniff her, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

It's fine, it doesn't smell bad and hasn't given anyone a headache, otherwise I would really be embarrassed.

The next morning.

Gu Jingxi went to Dali Temple early in the morning to stand duty.

Qiwunwen, seeing him, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Yao Ling, didn't you say the day before yesterday evening that you would be back to Dali Temple this morning Why haven't I seen you all day yesterday"

Gu Jingxi replied: "Ayao is sick."

"Are your siblings sick"

Qiu Yunwen was stunned after hearing this, and then asked in puzzlement: "I saw my younger brother and sister were fine the night before yesterday, how come they suddenly fell ill"

Gu Jingxi said: "Due to excessive fright, a high fever started around midnight the previous night."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yunwen was taken aback for a moment before nodding in understanding. "That's right, my younger sister is a sheltered girl who has never encountered such things. It's no wonder she was terrified after such an ordeal. The night before last, I also heard the constable who witnessed everything recount the events—it was a dangerous situation, and my younger sister nearly lost her life."

He paused, his voice faltering, and then asked, "And how is your sister-in-law now"

Gu Jingxi said softly, "It's all right now.

That's great.

Qi Yunwen lightly nodded, looking at the friend in front of him with a calm expression. His friend has always prioritized work, putting everything aside for it. He even stayed dedicated to his duties when his son was sick. This time, he actually abandoned his work to comfort his frightened wife. It seems like your friend really cares about that young lady.

It would be nice if he could see this old iron tree blossom during his lifetime.

Gu Jingxi got to the point: "How did your interrogation of Hua Lingxiao go"

Qi Yunwen replied: "He confessed, admitting to the crime without reservation and has pleaded guilty. The case can be closed."

Gu Jingxi was a little surprised: "What method did you use to make him confess so quickly"

Qi Yunwen shrugged and smiled, "That's not my credit. Yesterday, a young lady came to see him and I don't know what she said, but he confessed."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi's brow furrowed, catching a whiff of something amiss: "How did that young lady know he had been captured"

Qiwuwen's eyes looked at him strangely, and retorted: "The notorious thief who steals flowers has been caught. It's a good thing. It spread throughout the capital yesterday. You don't know That's understandable, you're preoccupied with your sibling's illness."

Gu Jingxi showed a knowing expression.

Qi Yunwen added, "I see that girl is dressed like a martial artist and is probably also a member of the martial arts world. I estimate she has some connection with him, but this is not very important. What matters now is that the case is closed."

This is the translated text:

Let me know if you'd like to translate anything else!

Changxing Houfu.

Gu Xiuming came to pay his respects to Meng Jin Yao, but he arrived a step late. Gu Jingxi had just left when he got there.

Since the quarantine was over, as long as Meng Jin Yao was home, Gu Xiuming never missed a day of paying his respects. Even if it was just going through the motions, he did it with sincerity.

Now, Mrs. Gu is quite satisfied with Gu Xiuming and believes that he has sincerely repented.

As for the big house and the second house, they also felt that Gu Xiuming might have repented or learned his lesson. Whatever the reason, it had little to do with them, so they just watched from the sidelines.

Gu Xiuming bowed and said, "Son greets mother."

These two days have been quite busy. After not seeing each other for two days, Meng Jinyao felt as if a long time had passed since she last saw her son. Now that he was respectfully bowing to greet her, she looked at him a few extra times unconsciously and said in a soft voice, "Come, sit down, my son."

Gu Xiuming sat down as instructed and asked with concern, "I heard that your mother was ill. Has she gotten better Would you like me to invite the imperial physician over again to feel her pulse"

"My son has made progress, and now his mind is clear. Meng Jin Yao smiled faintly and then turned her attention to his studies, “Son, are you confident about the Qiuwei exam this year”

It's best not to bring this up. As soon as he does, Gu Xiuming remembers what his father said to him a few days ago in the study. A dark flash crossed his eyes, but his mouth replied humbly: "Son doesn't have much confidence, just wants to accumulate experience, but will also do his best."

Meng Jinyao's eyes were sharp, catching the way his hands clenched and unclenched slightly. She seemed to realize he was struggling to hide his emotions. A slight curve played on her lips as she softly said, "It's good that you think this way. You are only sixteen, still young. There is no need to put too much pressure on yourself. Even if you don't pass the exam, it doesn't matter."

Gu Xiuming nodded and said, "Son, don't worry, Mother is relieved."

This kind of question and answer, motherly love and filial piety, was performed flawlessly.

After Gu Xiuming left, Meng Jin yao let out a long sigh and said helplessly: "Isn't he tired Acting as such a filial son in front of me for so long, it made me have to play the role of a loving mother. I still prefer him acting like a disrespectful son, that's easier to deal with."

Qīngqiū consoled, "Madam, what's performed is always a performance; sooner or later, it will reveal its flaws. Now that the old Madam has started to favor him again, you must remain calm. If you were to confront him first, when you go to the old Madam, it would appear that you, as a mother, are unfilial."

Meng Jin Yao sighed helplessly: "Well, keep acting. I want to see how long he can hold on."dress washed white, thin and hunched over. She tried her best to steady her voice and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you"When the middle-aged woman heard the sound, she seemed to be startled. Her bo...